ITF Docker's news, July.

ETF and ITF support fightback over potential change to Spanish port recruitment

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9237

5 July 2013

The ETF and ITF have begun a consultation process with affiliated unions in Spain, to see how they can support them following news that changes could be made to the way dockworkers are recruited in Spanish ports.

The European Commission (EC) is referring Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) over the existing rules on hiring port labour in locations including Barcelona, Algeciras, Valencia and Bilbao.

Currently, cargo handling companies hire port workers through private companies owned by employers in each port, rather than hiring them freely. The EC argues that cargo handling providers from other EU member states wishing to establish themselves in Spanish ports might be discouraged because of the current recruitment situation and that this hinders the exercise of the freedom of establishment.

Terje Samuelsen, chair of the ETF dockers’ section, said: “We can now see that the European Commission’s DG MOVE (directorate general for mobility and transport) is determined to continue the struggle to introduce port package three, this time not only through legislation but through the opening of court cases and the imposition of liberalisation of port labour as a condition to the allocation of rescue funds. They are now trying to justify themselves by using the court to actually say that social dumping is okay in ports in the EU!”

He continued: “Dockers in Europe, with the support of rest of the world's dockers, will take up this fight and we are confident that we will win on this important issue.
We will support our comrades in Spain in every possible way.”

The ETF and ITF renew their call to the Spanish government to effectively defend the system currently in place in Spanish ports before the CJEU. The current law is the result of extensive consultation of social partners, and both the employers and the unions keep being in favour of the system in place.

In addition to the direct impact a change in the rules on Spanish port recruitment would have on Spanish dockers, there are also implications for dockers across the European Union. A decision in favour of the EC argument could set a precedent for concerns over private business and competition in the EU outweighing working issues like job security.

Antwerp port strike ends following agreement over dockers’ work

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9257

8 July 2013

A strike in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium which began after union delegates were refused entry to a warehouse during a routine inspection, has come to an end.

ITF- and ETF-affiliated unions ACV Transcom, ABVV-BTB, ACLVB were all involved in the action which ran for six days from 26 June. The unions stopped all cargo at Katoen Natie terminal after delegates were barred from entering a warehouse where they suspected non-dockworker agency staff from Poland were doing dockers’ work. It is thought this was being facilitated through transshipment and goods storage company, Logisport.

Following a strained second conciliation attempt between unions and the Katoen Natie Group that lasted for more than nine hours, a satisfactory agreement was reached which stipulates that no retaliation measures will be taken following the strike and that all compensation claims against the dock workers will be abandoned.

The Social Inspection Services of the Federal Government Administration was present to establish any violations of the Law on Dock Labour, which restricts dock work to registered dock labourers. It was agreed that social dialogue between the unions and the employer over the conclusions of the social inspection services and the Law on Docker Labour will take place and issues will be addressed and resolved by 31 October 2013.

A recommendation was also made by the mediator that the employer comply with the Law on Dock Labour and look at its use of companies like Logisport, which was specifically refered to.

Marc Loridan, federal secretary of the ports of Belgium BTB said: “We would like to thank dock workers in Antwerp, for their committment to bringing this difficult situation to a satisfactory ending and their efforts in helping to preserve the status of dock labourers. This is part of a wider attack on the dockers’ profession and it’s something that we’re just not prepared to accept.”

In a similar vein, general secretary for the maritime section of ACV Transcom Michel Claes said: “This case doesn’t stand in isolation. It sits within the framework of attacks coming from the European Commission and other powerful lobbies. The objective is to liberalise port labour and lower standards in order to lower costs for port users, that’s quite clear to us.”

Dock union leaders mobilise forces in key disputes

http://www.itfglobal.org/news-online/index.cfm/newsdetail/9273

12 July 2013

Building the power of port unions across the board, campaigning globally and fighting back against union busting tactics. Those were the key commitments from delegates at the ITF dockers’ section conference in Chicago, USA, this week.

A number of key disputes were highlighted by the group, which included dockers’ union representatives from across the world.

One of the most prominent concerns global network terminal operator (GNT) DP World, over its reluctance to negotiate on trade union rights in London Gateway terminal, UK, and ongoing negotiations in the Port of Brisbane, Australia. Delegates resolved to organise a campaign to highlight the issue. Get more information here.

In addition to the resolution passed on DP World, there were also emergency motions regarding support for port workers in Israel where the government has announced the establishment of two new ports, and for workers at the Port of Newcastle, Australia where the employer is attempting to weaken workers’ rights through alterations to their working agreements.

There were further calls for international solidarity over: the grain dispute on the West Coast of America, which has seen hundreds of members from ITF-affiliated union the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) locked out long term at the Ports of Vancouver and Portland; the ongoing dispute on contracting out and union busting at the Port of Auckland, New Zealand; the moves towards liberalisation of port work by the European Union; and the general rise of automation and promotion of precarious work by employers.

In addition, support was pledged to Moroccan trade unionist Said Elhairech, who was imprisoned for charges relating to trade union activities last year. He was freed following a high profile ITF campaign and there is now a drive to get the only charge remaining against him, which regards freedom of association, dropped. Get more on the campaign here.

Addressing delegates, ITF president Paddy Crumlin said: “Some of the action we commit to in this room will determine labour standards including through union recognition and legitimate bargaining rights. World trade is growing exponentially and if it is to continue to do so functionally, international dockworker labour rights and decent standards need to be respected and not undermined.”

A new HIV/AIDS resource pack was also launched during the conference aimed at helping port unions to raise awareness, tackle stigma and promote education around HIV/AIDS. View the resource pack here http://www.itfglobal.org/infocentre/pubs.cfm/detail/39833 .